[Anton]

Dear Gardeners,

Another disaster yesterday. I have sown a new line of french beans next to four lines already growing well. Yesterday I discovered the new line, already growing but small, looking as though the plants had been burnt. Some of the leaves had shrivelled up and I think a few leaves may have fallen off. Most odd!

Anton

[Paul Plots]

Sounds like something unpleasant in the soil...

Perhaps the weather conditions are responsible? Too damp?

You could try re-sowing in pots and transplanting when the seedlings are bigger and perhaps better abel to cope? 

[Salmo]

This could be damage caused by the maggots of the bean seed fly. Type bean seed fly into Google images. They burrow into the seed and when the bean comes up the two seed leaves are distorted or absent. The first true leaves may also be chewed. The answer is to grow in modules or pots and plant out.